A BOURNEMOUTH man has died after being hit by a train near Pokesdown.

The British Transport Police was alerted to the incident at around 9.20pm on Monday night by Network Rail.

Officers from Dorset Police and South West Ambulance Service paramedics went to the scene.

Emergency crews used Warnford Road to access the track, where the driver of a CrossCountry train had reported hitting a person.

Speaking at the station, Sergeant Derek Bish of British Transport Police confirmed a man had been killed after being hit by a train.

He said the incident is not being treated as suspicious.

This morning, a spokesperson from British Transport Police said: “We were called to the line near Pokesdown rail station on Monday shortly before 9.30pm to a report of a person struck by a train.

“Officers attended the incident with colleagues from Dorset Police.

“Medics from South Western Ambulance Service also attended and a man, believed to be 60 years old and from Bournemouth, was pronounced dead at the scene.

“The man’s family have been informed and officers are now compiling a report for the coroner.

“The incident is not being treated as suspicious.”

Residents said they had heard a loud bang and furniture shook. Chris Daines, 46, said: "I don't normally notice the trains, it sounded like it derailed."

The line was closed between Pokesdown and Christchurch and South West Trains warned services would be cancelled, delayed or changed.

At 11.15pm, South West Trains reported that the line was in operation again and the first train heading for Weymouth had just left Brockenhurst.

Sgt Bish urged anyone with information to call the control room on 0800 40 50 40.